News

Big Chair Voted Virginia's Top Main St. Treasure

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development recently conducted a "Twenty-five Treasures on Main Street- Which is your favorite?" poll as part of their Virginia's Main Street Communities program. UpTown Martinsville's own Big Chair took first place with 1644 votes, 44% of all those polled!

Phoenix CDC seeking architectural proposals

The Phoenix CDC is seeking proposals from architectural firms for the rehabilitation of the Henry Hotel. The Request for Proposals may be accessed below Proposals are due on May 7th. The Phoenix CDC anticipates the renovation of the Henry Hotel into a mix of residential and commercial uses. The rehabilitation will be seek to preserve the historic character of the building.

No consensus on uptown traffic proposal

A recommendation to convert Church and Main streets uptown from one-way to two-way traffic is drawing contrasting opinions among property and business owners.

Uptown's major property owners have opposite positions on the issue.

Fred T. Martin Sr., who said he owns more than 20 uptown properties on the two streets, said, "I think two-way traffic will be disastrous."

Traffic change not first priority uptown

City officials will have to decide whether to change the central business district's traffic pattern based on the costs of making streets suitable for two-way traffic versus the expected benefit, according to Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Leon Towarnicki.

PCDC advertises for ED

The Phoenix Community Development Corporation was established in 2009 with the assistance of the Harvest Foundation in Martinsville, Virginia. Its mission is to assemble public and private resources to undertake impactful real estate development that will lead to the expansion of opportunities, grow businesses, and preserve affordable housing in the Martinsville and Henry County region.